Obit: Raymond Taylor

January 6th, 2013 in Obituaries

Location: Hamilton county

Raymond Neil Taylor died Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013 at his home on Signal Mountain. He was born in Steele, N.D., on June 22, 1931 to Helen F. Taylor and Allen I. Taylor. At a young age he moved to Long Beach, Calif. He earned a scholarship to Occidental College where he played basketball and volleyball and was president of ATO fraternity and the men's student body. At Occidental he met the love of his life, Dennie, and they soon began their life journey together. After their marriage they moved to Atlanta where he began his business career, advancing quickly in sales and management positions in the chemical business. In 1974 he joined Textile Rubber and Chemical Company in Dalton, Ga. In 2005 he retired as President of the company and a respected executive in the carpet industry. In every aspect of his life, Ray loved, cherished, and appreciated the people around him. He loved his neighbors on Signal Mountain and enjoyed many friendships that spanned almost 50 years. He loved his "second family" at Textile Rubber, helping grow a company that valued people, operated with integrity, and achieved significant corporate success. He cherished his family, giving his wife and children a lifetime of devotion and support that lives on in the values he instilled and the memories he provided. He loved his God, honoring Him by the way he lived his life every day and serving Him for years as a Deacon, Elder, and Trustee of Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church. Whenever he had the chance, he performed for any group he could assemble his favorite hymn, "When the Roll is Called up Yonder." He was secure in his faith, grateful for the blessings he had in life, and confident in his belief in everlasting life. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Denise Everett Taylor; and his children, Mike and Denise Taylor, of Lookout Mountain, Tenn., Karen and Mike Blount, of Philadelphia, Pa., Barbie and David Timms of Virginia Beach, Va., Judy and Bill Doswell, of Ventura, Calif., and Susan and Peter Cobb of Smyrna, Tenn.; He is also survived by his brother, Allen Taylor (Phyllis), of Upland, Calif.; Grandchildren include Kate, Kirby, and Emma Taylor; Mary Catherine, Alli, and Matt Blount, Ashley Timms Jessee (Cory), Courtney, Madison, Lauren, and Kathryn Timms; and Taylor, Alex, and Sarah Cobb. Their time spent playing in the family pool and having cookouts in the backyard was a treasure for him. A memorial service will be held Monday, Jan. 7, at 11 a.m. at Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church. A celebration of his life will follow in Dudley Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to The Northwest Georgia (Dalton) Alzheimer's Association, The American Cancer Society, Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church, or The Tennessee River Gorge Trust, all of which were very dear to Ray's heart. Friends are invited to share memories and offer condolences by visiting www.heritagefh.com Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 East Brainerd Road, Chattanooga.